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Shawna Pandya
Physician, Aquanaut, Explorer, Director - IIAS Space Medicine Group, Space Medicine and Austere Environment Researcher
Shawna Pandya is a multifaceted professional with a background in medicine, space exploration, and extreme environments. She is a physician, aquanaut, and scientist-astronaut candidate with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), where she serves as the Director of the Space Medicine Group and chief instructor of the Operational Space Medicine course.14 Her LinkedIn profile highlights her diverse roles, including being an astronaut, emergency/aeromedical transport physician, scientist, explorer, and executive director of the IIAS Flight Opportunities Program.5
Key Achievements and Roles:
- Medical Career: Dr. Pandya is a physician with experience in family medicine and emergency medicine. She has worked in various medical roles, including as a resident physician in enhanced surgical skills.1
- Space and Exploration: She is involved in space-related missions and payloads with organizations like ESA and NASA. In 2024, she became Canada's first named female commercial astronaut, set to fly with Virgin Galactic.3
- Extreme Environments: Dr. Pandya has experience in extreme environment medicine, including working in conflict zones and participating in simulated space missions.2
- Leadership and Public Speaking: She is a public speaker and has given talks on resilience, leadership, and STEM education. She is also a board member of several organizations, including Shad Canada and the International Lunar Observatory Association.13
Awards and Recognition:
- Women's Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada (2020).1
- Fellow of the Explorers Club (2019).1
- EC50 - "50 Explorers Changing the World You Need to Know About" (2022).1
Dr. Pandya's career reflects her passion for advancing human knowledge and tackling grand challenges through technological innovation and exploration.1
Highlights
Off to start an 87hr stretch of ER call this long weekend. I hope I don't have to see you, but if I do, know that I'll try to make your bad day a little better. Also, if you're on an ATV, make sure you're wearing a helmet & driving sober (please)! 🩺👩🏽⚕️🏥 https://t.co/lUHKgWY1HQ

Thanks @cbcradio for having me on this morning! I am so looking forward to my @friendsEPL keynote tomorrow, as part of the EPL Forward Thinkers series! 🚀👩🏽🚀🏥 https://t.co/Foze0n3r5w

